But...I did not forget about Part 2 of the birth story! If you need a refresher, here is Part 1.
(And literally, as I begin to write this, Nug woke up. Go figure).
10:30pm
All three kiddos were in the car, phone calls made, and everyone was heading towards the birth center. By the time we hit Roanoke, I was positive this was not false labor. I knew that I had to relax and let my body do what it needed to do, but I was afraid if I relaxed too much I would deliver this baby on the side of 377. Monkey's labor lasted a little over 3 hours, and they only get shorter the more babies you have! If you have ever tried to relax, without relaxing...it's not easy.
10:50pm
We arrived at the birth center, with Donnellyn greeting me at the door. I looked at her and said, "Well, this is not false labor." She laughed and said, "I didn't think it was." She helped me inside, while J grabbed the other kiddos and our bag. I informed Donnellyn that my photographer and my babysitter were on their way, and that she should go unlock the door. Within minutes, everyone was there. I am so grateful they all took me seriously!
11:00pm-ish
A hair tie. Of all the things I remembered to bring, I forgot a hair tie.
I was burning up and my contractions were coming fast. D checked me, "Honey, you don't mess around. You're at a 6." Praise the Lord. I asked if I would be getting in the tub soon. D informed me that that was EXACTLY where I was heading. Hooray!
11:10pm
Walking up steps when you are at a 6-7, and having a constant wave of contractions is not easy. Nor is getting into a tub that is just too high that I have to stand on my tip toes to get in. But I did it. I was so grateful to be sitting in warm water where I could try and relax. Now, I go to Donnellyn for a number of reasons, but one, is that she is incredibly calm. This is the one, and only time, I have ever seen her get nervous. My labor was going so fast, that she was the only one there. Usually, she has an assistant and at least one student to help get everything ready. They were on there way, and I was hoping they would all make it!
11:30pm-ish
J is pushing on my low back because it takes off some of the pressure. He moved once, I think to scratch his nose....he didn't make that mistake again ;) I remember when I was in labor with Monkey that I didn't breathe deep enough and I had to be put on oxygen. I focused on deep breaths and trying to let my body do the work. I remember looking at Donnellyn and telling her I felt like I was going to throw up. She told me it was because my labor was going so quickly and that I had a bucket if I needed to get sick. Don't worry, I didn't!
Sometime after 11:45pm
It was time to push! I am grateful for short labors...three strong pushes and the baby's head was out. The cord was around his neck, so Donnellyn had to remove it before I could push him all the way out. One final push, and I looked down just in time to see my baby flip over in the water. J grabbed him and placed him on my chest. Official time of birth - 11:57pm.
Donnellyn began his newborn exam and kept saying, "Baby girl looks great!" My face went blank as I turned to her and asked, "I have a baby girl??" Turns out, Donnellyn was just guessing based on how steady the heart rate was during birth (boy heart rates tend to fall during labor). I looked at J and he said that delivered so fast that he didn't know either. I didn't check...I didn't care.
I moved from the tub to the bed, and I just wanted to sleep. My labor may have been short, but it was intense. My midwife and the assistants moved around me quietly, as Nuggy slept on my chest.
Around 1am I decided to check to see whether I had a girl or a boy. As you all know, we had another boy...healthy, cuddly, and wonderful!
We went home around 3:30am...still in awe that we were a family of 6! 6! That is crazy...but he is a wonderful addition and such a joy!
